I went up the East Coast from Auckland to Northland and I decided to drive back down the West Coast.  I am glad I did as it is an amazing drive.  You travel through so many different kinds of scenery, it is like being in different countries, as the landscape is so different.  I found this throughout the North and South Islands.

I set off alongside the 90 mile beach again in the dry desert like climate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I then passed through countryside that was tropical forest, just like jungle.  There was a National Park that I went for a walk in.  It was proper Tarzan country.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I drove on from the tropical forest and within 15 minutes, I was again in rolling English countryside. …… Weird!

Everywhere I looked was beautiful scenery and views.  I can to get used to this wherever I was in New Zealand.

At about 6pm, I passed through a really beautiful little village with a pub and village green, alongside a lake.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I thought about stopping for the night, but decided to drive on to the next town.  I drove about 3km further and the road came to an end!  It wasn’t marked on the map, but the road ends and a car ferry is needed to take you across the lake to continue the journey.  This is the main west coast highway and there was nobody around!

The road just ended and there was a ramp into the water and a sign on hooks that said ferry in operation, so I assumed I hadn’t missed the last one.  I sat and looked out over the lake as the sun set went down.  There was absolutely no one else around and it was magical.  I meditated at the end of the jetty in the photo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I arrived on the other side of the lake as the sun went down and it was another stunning village.  They had a small quayside and I parked up for the night.  Here are some of the views I had from the village of Rawene.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was one of the most magical days and nights I have ever had. The weather was hot and balmy and there was no wind.  I had seen all of the different kinds of scenery above in the 1 day and I ended up in a really beautiful little place, which was still and quiet.  It was a full moon and I lay in bed with the doors and windows open, looking out over the lake, watching and hearing the splashes of fish jumping. There were picnic tables for dinner and a toilet and a fresh water tap right by the van, so it was perfect.

I woke to another beautiful day.  I was right next to a cafe on stilts and a beautiful bed and breakfast building.